Salem Observer : Bishop Guertin

Salem dominates Bishop Guertin, needs two wins for third crown

Salem Editor — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:18:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

EJ Perry had a question for those who predicted his Salem boys hoops squad would fall, at home, to Bishop Guertin in the quarterfinals of the Class L tournament.

“Do they know anything about basketball?” Salem took an 11-point first-quarter lead and easily won, 81- 61, on Saturday, March 14.

Indeed, it seemed unwise to pick BG against the two-time defending state champs, especially in their own gymnasium with Josh Jones on the court. And it didn’t take long for the standout senior to show those pundits just how wrong they were.

Jones opened the game by draining four straight three-point shots on his way to a 20-point night.

“The way Josh played tonight, especially in the first half to open it up – when he’s playing like that I have full confidence in what he can do and how he can do it,” said Perry. “He’s been starting games for four years. He’s won two championships, and he wants to leave his senior year with the opportunity to win a third.”

Jones’ quarterfinal performance allowed Alex LaRosa and Mike Kimball room to work, and they capitalized.

The latter notched 18 markers, and Kimball offered a gamehigh 23 points.

Though the Blue Devils were treated to the additional home playoff contest following a recent change in the tournament structure, Perry said his squad would have maintained a similar advantage at the University of New Hampshire’s Lundholm Gymnasium, where the quarterfinals have taken place in the past.

“I sort of like when you can go to UNH and play on the big floor and get the kids that experience,” he said. “We love that court. That’s our second home. They have our colors painted all over that gymnasium, probably because they know we play there so often, so we’re obviously excited about that.”

Perry and his boys won’t have to wait long.

The experienced Blue Devils were scheduled to face Manchester Memorial at UNH on Wednesday, March 18. The winner tips off against Trinity or Alvirne, at the same location, on Saturday, March 21, at 3 p.m.

In rough-and-tumble battle, Salem hockey loses to Bishop Guertin, falls to .500

Salem Editor — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:43:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Salem and Bishop Guertin hit hard all afternoon, but the Cardinals saved their biggest blows for the back of the net, skating past the Blue Devils, 5-2. BG scored twice in each of the first two periods and added an empty-netter in the final frame, dropping Salem to 5-5- 0 on the season following the contest on Saturday, Jan. 31.

Throughout the game, both sides delivered thunderous checks on their opponents, and several times players exchanged words after an official’s whistle blew. The physical play eventually hurt the Blue Devils; three Guertin goals were scored on the power play.

“That’s what happens when these two teams play each other,” said Salem’s head coach, Mark McGinn. “They’re a physical, strong team, and … I was happy with how we were able to keep up with them. Even the little guys were getting physical with them.”

Already trailing, 2-0, Salem missed an opportunity to cut the deficit late in the first period. The Blue Devils, with a 5-on-3 opportunity and subsequent man-advantage, produced five scoring chances. They couldn’t capitalize.

“They don’t give you many second chances when it comes to being down in front of the net,” said McGinn of BG. “You really have to bear down in front of the net and find the puck.”

Salem senior forward Aaron Mackey broke up the shutout with 9:02 remaining in the game, and Cory Lavallee added a second tally three minutes later, breathing life into the previously lethargic Blue Devils. Michael Frahm and Michael Rocheleau assisted on the two Salem goals. And with 40 seconds left, Salem’s last chance to climb within a goal, with the puck bouncing dangerously in front of Guertin’s net, was foiled by a crease violation.

The Cardinals’ empty-net tally quickly followed. McGinn said his team came out with a different – and better – attitude in the third period.

“They took it personally in the last period,” said McGinn. “They went to the net more and were able to catch a bounce or two.”

The Cardinals, now 7-0-0, top the Division I standings, and McGinn said it was a welcome challenge for his team to play the defending state champions.

“I needed it more to see how we would play against a top team. They responded the right way. We just need to play with that intensity versus everyone we play,” said McGinn. “Hopefully we’ll get another crack at them in the finals.”

Victorious Salem stifles Guertin with second-half charge

Salem Editor — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:30:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

After three minutes in the locker room with her team at halftime of Salem’s home match-up with Bishop Guertin, head coach Elizabeth Briggs left and sat on the bench for some alone time.

“I didn’t have anything positive to say, and that’s not my style,” Briggs said with a laugh following the game on Tuesday, Jan. 27. “They had to own up to it, so they met by themselves and discussed what they wanted to do.”

Whatever that discussion involved, it worked.

The Blue Devils erased a nine-point halftime deficit and held the Cardinals to 14 second- half points, storming past Bishop Guertin, 50-43.

Salem improved to 4-5 without Amanda Saab, who has missed the entire season and was scheduled to have knee surgery on Wednesday, Jan. 28, officially ending any thoughts of a comeback.

But against Guertin, the Blue Devils’ comeback was a team effort. Nora Galvin, the only Salem player in double figures with 10 points, led a balanced attack.

Saab is one of just five seniors on the Salem roster, and a large number of minutes this season have gone to young players. Of the six top scorers vs. the Cardinals, one was a senior.

“The only positive thing about Amanda’s injury was that it came the second day of practice,” said Briggs. “The team was still forming, so we’ve had the chance to get some young players prepared for some big varsity minutes.”